Soulfly / Cavalera Conspiracy frontman Max Cavalera has been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a temporary condition that results in the inability to control facial muscles. Cavalera was rushed to the hospital shortly after his return from Australia last week, frightened that he was having a stroke.

Bell’s Palsy is caused by a dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve). After consulting a doctor, Cavalera was put on a course of antibiotics and is improving greatly — expected to make a full recovery. Cavalera took a moment to thank fans for their concern and well wishes — reassuring his supporters that he is in good health.

“I woke up one morning after coming home from Australia and the whole room was spinning,” recounts Cavalera. “I looked at Gloria and said, ‘There’s something wrong here.’ She said, ‘Your face looks weird.’ I went to the mirror and couldn’t move half of my face. We thought I was having a stroke, so we rushed to the hospital.”

Cavalera continued, “I learned my condition was called Bell’s Palsy but I’d never heard of that. It’s a f—ing weird disease. My right eye won’t blink, and half of my face feels like I’ve been punched by Mike Tyson! It hurts like hell. Anyway, I am leaving for Brazil tomorrow. The show must go on and this Bell’s Palsy ain’t gonna stop a metalhead from his duties. I hope I’ll be ok and thanks to all the fans concerned with me. Stay Metal.”

Soulfly are set to release their eighth studio album ‘Enslaved’ on March 13. They are gearing up to kick off a U.S. tour with Five Finger Death Punch in late March.

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